University of Windsor names campus walkway after late athletics director Richard Moriarty

The family of Dr. Richard Moriarity and officials from the University of Windsor stand in front of a newly unveiled sign for the Moriarty Way outside the Toldo Lancer Centre. April 22, 2026. (Rusty Thomson/AM800 News)

A pedestrian walkway at the University of Windsor has been renamed in honour of a longtime administrator, educator and community advocate.

The path running from College Avenue to the Toldo Lancer Centre is now known as Moriarty Way, recognizing the late Dr. Richard Moriarty, a former athletics director at the university.

Moriarty led the university’s athletics program from 1956 to 1985, a period during which varsity teams expanded from three men’s teams to 12 and from two women’s teams to 10.

He also spent more than 40 years teaching courses in business, English and kinesiology. Moriarty retired from teaching in 1998 and died in June 2021.

Beyond the university, Moriarty and his wife co-founded the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) in 1983, following the death of their daughter Erin the previous year. The organization focuses on eating disorder awareness, prevention and treatment research across Canada.

His son, Sean Moriarty, says his father received an honorary degree from the university in 2005, and believes remarks from that speech reflect the significance of the walkway dedication.

“Don’t feel sorry for yourself because you’ve suffered a pain you can’t forget; remember the happy memories will live on, so do the best you can to care for others,” he says, quoting his father. “How do you get through tragedies in life? Hug each other tighter, pray a little harder, and depend on the support of your family and friends.”

Sean Moriarty says the naming of Moriarty Way is a meaningful honour for the entire family.

“We love to see that his name will go on and be remembered,” he says. “Hopefully it’s the values he displayed that will be represented. That’s truly what the Moriarty Way is.”

Luciana Rosu‑Sieza, executive director of BANA in Windsor, calls the naming a fitting tribute, describing Moriarty Way as symbolic of a journey.

She says Moriarty placed strong emphasis on prevention, expansion of services and reducing stigma—principles she says continue to guide the organization.

“Prevention was really at his heart,” she says, adding BANA is now part of a provincial prevention program.

Moriarty was also a member of the inaugural class inducted into the University of Windsor Alumni Sports Hall of Fame and was later inducted into the Windsor‑Essex Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

Each year, the university’s athletics department presents an award named in his honour to the Lancer team whose athletes earn the highest academic average.